Partition



Feb. 10, 1942. J BOHNSACK I 2,272,829

PARTITION Filed Sept. 26, 1958 IN VENTOR.

BY John /7. $0672.54 C/i q ATTO EYS Patented Feb. 10, 1942 PARTITIONJohn A. Bohnsack, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, as-

slg'nor to The E. F. Hauserman Company,

Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application September 26, 1938,Serial No. 231,675 3 Claims. (01. 189-34) This invention relates, asindicated, to sound proof partitions, but has reference moreparticularly to partitions of this character which are adapted forventilating purposes.

A primary object of the invention is the provision. of a partitionwhich, while highly eifective to prevent the transmission of soundtherethrough is so designed as to permit the passage of air therethroughfor ventilating purposes.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention,then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularlypointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawing and the following description set forth in detailcertain structure embodying the invention, such disclosed meansconstituting, however, but one of various structural forms in which theprinciple of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevation of a partition embodying the novelfeatures of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view, taken on the line 2--2 ofFig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view, on an enlargedscale, taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

The partition comprises a plurality of panels I, arranged in side byside relation, each panel comprising a pair of spaced plates 2 havingintumed flanges 3,. terminating in rebent portions 4. Secured to therear surface of each plate, as by welding, is a plurality of verticallyspaced reinforcing members 5, such members extending to the flanges 3.Each panel is further provided with end uprights 6, which are secured tothe portions 4 of the flanges 3, thus spacing the plates 2 from eachother the desired distance. Angle verticals 'l are secured to thereinforcing members 5, one leg of each of such verticals engaging theportion 4 of the adjacent flange 3, and the-other leg constituting astop for positioning pads 8 of sound-insulating material, which arecemented or otherwise secured to th rear surfaces of the plates 2.

The panels are supported in upright position by means of channel studs9, which extend from the floor to the ceiling or cornice of thepartitioned space.

It will be noted thatsound waves striking one of the plates 2 will belargely absorbed by the sound proofing material 8, and that the directtransmission of sound through the metal of the panel is furtherminimized by virtue of the fact that there is a minimum of metal tometal contact between the front and rear plates of each panel.

In order to permit the passage of ventilating air from one side of thepanel to the other, each of the plates 2 is provided at the lowerportion thereof (and adjacent its side edge) with a plurality ofvertically spaced inwardly extending louvers l0, which are pressedinwardly from the metal of the plate. The louvers in one of the platesare disposed at a diagonally opposite side of the partition from thelouvers in the other plate, so that air which enters the panel at oneside must traverse the panel before leaving the panel through thelouvers in the opposite side. This movement of the air is indicated bythe arrows in Fig. 2.

The air which enters the louvers at one side of the panel strikes thematerial 8, which is disposed directly opposite the louvers, so that anysound or noise caused by the air in thus passing into and through thepanel, is largely absorbed by such material. In order to increase thesound absorptivity of the pads in the area of the panels between thelouvers, the pads 8, in these areas, may have spaced recesses in theirinner faces, which recesses extend to predetermined depths. In otherparts of the panel, the pads 8 may be of any insulating board,preferably of a more or less fibrous nature.

Due to the length and cross-section of the air ducts, very littleair-borne sound can pass therethrough. Sound impinging upon thepartition in the area of the duct is, of course, partially transmitted,but the major portion of this sound energy is trapped between the steelsheets, and due to the sound absorptlvity of the pads 8 especially whenrecessed, as described, is absorbed to at least as great an extent asifthe duct were solidly packed. The sound waves which pass directlythrough the louvers and impinge on the inner surface of the oppositeside of the partition are negligible, and are not transmittedtherethrough, by reason of the deflection and possible interferencepattern of the louvers, the back reflection from the inner and outersurface of the pad, and the back reflection from both surfaces of thesteel. In fact and by test, the wall appears to be equally as efiicientin reducing sound transmission at this point as at other points.

The panel which has been described is particularly adapted for use in apartition, of the flush type single line construction. It is to beunder-,

stood, however, that the invention may also be embodied in other typesof panels for use in 2. semi-flush and other types of partitions,the-only desideratum being that the panel itself be of sufllcientthickness to permit or interior circulation oi air. It desired, thepanel may be insulated in any desired manner, such as by filling thesame at all points, except where the ventilating duct occurs. withinsulating material, either in the form of laminations or in the form ora solid filling.

The form of the invention which has been illustrated provides forhorizontal flow of air which is suitable for the return circulation ofair-conditioned buildings, which have pressure supply. The louvers may,however, be so disposed as to provide for vertical circulation of airthrough the panel. Furthermore, instead of louvers, grills, punchings orassembled slats may be used.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employedinstead of the one explained, change being made as regards the structureherein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the followingclaims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. In a partition construction, a wall panel comprising spaced-apart,substantially parallel plates, each of said plates being provided with agroup of ventilating openings located adjacent opposite edges of saidplates, respectively, and imperforate portions of said plates extendingbetween such groups oi' openings; and sound-insulating material coveringthe inner faces of said plates except at such openings, whereby a layerof such material faces each group of such openlugs and the passagewayconnecting the two groups of openings is likewise lined with suchmaterial, such passageway being open and unrestricted thus permittingtree travel oi the air but insuring absorption 01 sound.

2. In a partition construction, a wall panel comprising spaced-apart,substantially parallel plates, each of said plates being provided with agroup of louvers located adjacent opposite lateral edges of said plates,respectively, and imperiorate portions oi said plates extending betweensuch groups of louvers; and sound-insulating material covering the inneriaces of said plates except at such louvers, whereby a layer 01 suchmaterial faces each group of such louvers and the passageway connectingthe two groups 01 louvers is likewise lined with such material, suchpassageway being open and unrestricted thus permitting tree travel ofthe air but insuring absorption of sound.

3. In a partition construction, a wall panel comprising spaced-apart,substantially parallel plates, each of said plates being provided with agroup of inwardly directed louvers located adjacent opposite lateraledges of said plates, respectively, and imperforate portions of saidplates extending between such groups of louvers; and sound-insulatingmaterial covering the inner faces of said plates except at such louvers,whereby a layer of such material faces each group of such louvers andthe passageway connecting the two groups of louvers is likewise linedwith such material, such passageway being open and unrestricted thuspermitting tree travel oi! the air but insuring absorption of sound.

JOHN A. BOHNSACK.

